Thousands of students across tertiary institutions in Enugu State have declared their unwavering support for the re-election of the Governor of Peter Mbah, vowing to embark on aggressive mobilisation across campuses and communities to ensure his overwhelming victory at the polls.
The students, under the aegis of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Joint Campus Council (JCC), Enugu State Axis, said backing Mbah was not just a political decision, but also one firmly rooted in the overall interest and future of Enugu State, particularly for students, youths, and children, who they said had become direct beneficiaries of the administration’s transformational policies.
The declaration came during a solidarity and appreciation visit to the governor, where student leaders from various tertiary institutions applauded what they described as unprecedented achievements in education, infrastructure, transportation, technology, security, and youth empowerment within three years in office.
Speaking on behalf of the students, Chairman of NANS JCC in Enugu State, Comrade Chukwube Okeke, said Governor Mbah had redefined governance through deliberate investments capable of transforming future generations.
According to him, the governor’s consistent allocation of over 30 per cent of the state budget to education for three consecutive years remained one of the highest commitments to education in Africa.
He noted that the administration’s Smart Green Schools project across the 260 political wards had become a major equaliser between children of the rich and poor by providing access to the same quality education regardless of location or social status.
“Today, people in rural communities can access the same quality education obtainable in Enugu urban without relocating. Governor Mbah is preparing Enugu children to compete favourably with their contemporaries in Japan, China, the United States, Canada, Singapore and other developed nations,” he stated.
Comrade Okeke also commended the governor for restoring security and tackling kidnapping, violent crimes, and sit-at-home threats that once disrupted economic and academic activities in the state.
“We can now travel freely across Enugu State without fear. Students and residents now feel safer because of the decisive steps the governor has taken,” he added.
The student leader disclosed that the students had resolved to establish a mobilisation structure dedicated to promoting the governor’s achievements in all campuses ahead of the next election.
“We have over three million students under our leadership and we have unanimously agreed to queue behind Governor Mbah for his seamless re-election. We will move round all the 21 campuses, both public and private institutions, to tell people about the remarkable work he is doing in Enugu State,” he declared.
Also speaking, the President of the Students’ Union Government of Enugu State College of Health Technology and Chairman of the Council of SUG Presidents, Comrade Ali Victor, praised the governor for his interventions in educational infrastructure, including ongoing hostel projects, upgrades in institutions, and investments in the College of Nursing.
Similarly, the South East Coordinator of NANS, Comrade Ikechukwu Emmanuel, lauded the administration’s digitisation drive and transportation reforms, stressing that students now enjoy easier, safer, and more affordable movement across the state through the CNG buses.
Earlier, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Students and Youth Affairs, Comrade Prisca Okeke, appreciated the governor for prioritising education, healthcare, security, and youth development, assuring him of sustained mobilisation and support from students and youths across the state.
Responding, Governor Mbah described the students’ gesture as deeply emotional and symbolic, likening it to the biblical story of the widow’s mite.
“You have not given out of abundance. You have given all that you have. Through this sacrifice, you have shown that you are not just stakeholders but shareholders in the future of Enugu State,” she stated.
The governor explained that the administration’s huge investments in education were deliberate and aimed at building a globally competitive knowledge-based economy.
He stressed that the Smart Green Schools initiative was beyond physical structures, revealing that each school would feature artificial intelligence centres, robotics hubs, ICT laboratories, CGI studios, 3D printers, and e-libraries.
“What we are doing in education has never happened anywhere on the continent. We currently have 267 Smart Green Schools standing today and by September 2026 the remaining ones will be fully operationalised” he said.
Governor Mbah further disclosed that the state government was establishing an incubation hub backed by a dedicated N100 billion fund to support youths and young entrepreneurs with innovative and creative ideas capable of transforming society and creating wealth.
